Buffalo Grove park arson damage at least $100K

Northwest suburban Buffalo Grove officials believe a fire was intentionally set Friday in a playground, causing at least $100,000 in damages, officials said.

Firefighters were called to a fire at Alcott Park, 530 Bernard Drive, at 8:33 p.m. Friday, officials said. A caller indicated that a fire was reported in the middle of the playground, officials said.

When crews arrived they found the playground equipment "heavily involved in the fire," fire officials said.

After an investigation by the Buffalo Grove fire and police officials, it was determined that the fire was intentionally set, officials said in a press release.

According to Mike Terson, the park district's public relations and marketing manager, after taking into account all the costs, including labor and excavation, the superintendent of parks said "without hesitation" that the bill to repair the damage would be at least $100,000.

On Sunday, police had put estimates of the damage at $50,000 at least.

Park district officials are assisting in the investigation and have provided video to police which was taken by a building surveillance system, officials said.

Terson said the park probably wouldn't be fully repaired until spring. He also said that in his six years with the district, this is the worst case of vandalism he could recall.